2027 Summer Intern - Opportunity Under Law Project

Public Counsel•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

Opportunity Under Law (OUL) was formed in 2014 to expand Public Counsel’s longstanding economic justice and impact litigation practice. OUL brings community-based impact litigation to eliminate barriers to opportunity. We represent individuals and communities confronting structural injustice and discrimination in areas like education, housing, and immigration. Many of our cases arise from Public Counsel’s representation of individual clients who face persistent injustices. By working closely with the organization’s direct services programs and across its subject areas, OUL is uniquely positioned to bring meaningful impact cases in California and beyond, work closely with affected communities, and communicate broadly to advance public discourse. Our cases strategically pursue novel claims to address intersectional issues and secure landmark victories in doctrinal areas commonly regarded as off limits for civil rights advocacy. OUL works with student interns to match areas of interest with our active litigation. OUL provides law clerks with the opportunity to work on litigation at different stages, including the development of a case, discovery, settlement, and trial work. All clerks will have legal research and writing opportunities that involve identifying issues and developing and articulating legal theories. Clerks will also participate in legal strategy discussions. As relevant to their assignments, clerks may also gather facts, interview clients, participate in mediation and assist with trial preparation activities. Clerks will receive one-on-one mentoring opportunities with our team of attorneys, and OUL will work with clerks to identify a writing sample project, based on interest. OUL uses a law firm model of supervision, meaning clerks will balance multiple cases while working with different attorneys. This will provide clerks with the chance to practice valuable time management skills.

Requirements

Must be in your first or second year of law school.
Submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample, all in PDF form.
Resume must reflect the law school you are currently enrolled in.
Identify which team(s) you would like to work with in your cover letter.
Discuss why you are interested in interning with Public Counsel generally and with OUL specifically in your cover letter.
Consider addressing your interest in increasing equity and inclusion, and your lived experiences and experiences working with clients across a range of settings in your cover letter, especially if not reflected in your resume.

Nice To Haves

Transcript (if available)

Responsibilities

Work on litigation at different stages, including case development, discovery, settlement, and trial.
Conduct legal research and writing to identify issues and develop legal theories.
Participate in legal strategy discussions.
Gather facts.
Interview clients.
Participate in mediation.
Assist with trial preparation activities.
Identify a writing sample project based on interest.
Balance multiple cases while working with different attorneys.